Book Nuts

[eastside]

Here are a few of mine that come to mind.

Most Disappointing
"The Twentieth Century Limited," by Lucius Beebe. The first railroad book I ever bought, unfortunately sight unseen through the mail. I had heard he was a famous railroad book author. I was a kid and expected it to be stuffed with pictures of my favorite train, a train I had ridden, on the high iron. Instead it was mostly pictures of obscure '30s movie stars, society figures, and Broadway actors boarding and disembarking from the Century. And most certainly unusual for a railfan book, page after page of editorial text, ranging from personal anecdotes, commentary about the Twentieth Century's interiors and personnel, and meals taken in the dining car and at the Pump Room in Chicago. Decades later, after I had completely forgotten about the book, I was flipping through the NY Times and, by chance, saw his obituary. It mentioned his lifestyle, and I understood why Beebe had a predilection for such subject matter.

Most Mysterious
"A Century of Pullman Cars," Vol. 1, by Ralph L. Barger
Another book bought sight unseen. This is a complete listing of Pullman cars. I thought it would contain pictures and layouts of the cars. When I received it, I found that I would have to wait for volume 2 so I put the book aside and forgot about it. Recently, I found it packed away in a box and wondered what happened to volume 2:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897780612/002-5300379-1923200?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

Anonymous Artist
Does anyone know the artist who did a wonderful series of sideview paintings of various steam locomotives? They've appeared in several books from pocket to foldout in size (http://www.marginalsoftware.com/Temp/trains1.htm). The only thing I can find is that they seem to be under the copyright of Salamander Books Ltd., a British company, I believe.

[Murphy Siding]

Eastside: I thought I was the only one who bought books sight unseen, based on a description written by someone who's job it is to sell books to fools like me![B)]. Thanks for the info. I've looked over books by Lucius Beebe. A lot of people seem to like his books. God love 'em, but I didn't much care for his work. What are some of your favorite railroad books?

[beaulieu]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RPRiebe

Here is a cut and paste of what I asked Murph:

What I am trying to find, new or used, is some books that cover the diesel locomotives used between 1950-1970.
It is the fifties locos that probably were written about once but not for quite some time.
There is a Encyclopedia of Railroad Locomotive 1960 edition, or something like that, that the library has here, and I was too stupid to pickup at a antique store fifteen years ago, that gives a good rundown of the era of the end of steam and the beginning of Diesel, but I have never seen one for sale again.
Books such as that, would be my preference, as to buy singular locals books will add up to, I have already done some checking, to hundreds of dollars, so a general, but era specific book, is what I prefer.

It is hard to describe as there are books out now, some I have, but they all cover the well known locomotives both steam and diesel ,from that era, and really ignore many of the import-export locomotives that were specific to a region or country, or anglo builders.

I have found, out-of-print, books, usually on steam, at antique shop and some neighborhood hobby shop, but the best usually seem to go out of business.
Where do some of you gents, find the hard get, or locate books, especially at not-scalping prices.

Has anyone ever done a all EE, Vickers Armstrong, or all Alsthom locomotive book, such a work would have all the early info available, I would imagine.
Bob

I'm late to this subject as usual, but as another owner of a large collection of Railroad Books I will give my two cents worth.

First to RPRiebe may I suggest checking out Larry Russell's "EMD Export" website and especially his resources page. http://emdexport.railfan.net/home.html

Second for any of you looking to purchase older books may I suggest using the website
"ABE Books" American Book Exchange is a search engine for independent booksellers and includes asking price and condition. I have recommended it to several people who almost paid too much for rare Railroad Books, it is also good for British and German Booksellers as there are branches in each country. http://www.abebooks.com/

Also Bookfinder is another Book Search Engine. http://www.bookfinder.com/

I do find that my taste in books has changed over the years, I too started out with Beebe but quickly moved on once I knew more about the subjects. For photograph books I like the
Morning Sun books but I find it too pricey to buy more than just the most interesting ones. For books where the story is most important, I like Hofsommer, Grant, Hilton, Signor, Middleton, and Roberts. I particularly like Charles Roberts' Triumph Series on the Pennsylvania RR. and
his previous series of Books on the B&O.
For Photographic Books I particularly like the ones published by Old Line Graphics who I believe are unfortunately out of business. An example of these are "Clinchfield Country" by Steve King, and "Baltimore and Ohio Vol. 1 New York to Cumberland" by Salamon, Orozzi, and Ori.
I pound my fists in frustration knowing that these gentlemen had gathered the photographs and created an outline for Volume 3 but never completed it.[V]

[Murphy Siding]

Amateur Book Review #8

The Northwestern/ a History of the CNW Railway System
by Roger Grant
ISBN # 0-87580-214-1 293 pages, 40 or so B&W pictures.

Another very good railroad history book. This book tell all about the CNW, from the start right up to merger with UP. You'll like this book, if you're into: railroad history(duh!), CNW,UP,grainger roads or Chicago railroading.

Remember,I'm a lumber salesman, not a writer.

[Murphy Siding]

Amateur Book Review #9

The Historical Guide to North American Railroads/Histories,figures,and features of more than 160 railroads abandonded or merged since 1930.

by George H. Drury
no ISBN# (?), but it's published by Kalmbach Books[:)]

424 pages (5 1/2" x 8 1/4") of railfan,history geek heaven! The only thing I can add is there is a map for each railroad! Published in 1985, and last updated last in 1992, it may be time for another update. You'll like this book if you're into trains!

Remember, I'm a lumber salesman, not a writer.

[Murphy Siding]

Amateur Book Review #10

Broken Rail / How Privatisation Wrecked Britain's Railways
by Christien Wolmar
ISBN #1-85410-857-3 279 pages.

A somewhat interesting book by a very opinionated writer. It's 1/4 history of the British Railways System, and 3/4 criticism and politics(yuck!). You'll like this book if you're into British Railways,privatisation, or open access.

Remember, I'm a lumber salesman,not a writer.

[Murphy Siding]

Amateur Book Review # 11

The Nation Pays Again
by Thomas H. PLoss
ISBN # 0-9613788 165 pages, no pictures


I tried to read this book. Really. Twice, I fell asleep trying to read this book. It's a 50 page book strung out to 165 pages.ZZZZZZ. The author fancies himself as a great,descriptive writer equal to Agatha Christy.For example, one whole page of writing could have been summarized as : the man went into the office. Honk choo. I skimmed over the book. Mr. Ploss' great theory is that that Milwaukee got screwed. Somebody might be able to write an interesting book on that premise. This is not it. You'll like this book if you're into Milwaukee Road history, conspiracy theories,or insomnia.

Remember, I'm a lumber salesman, not a writer.

[eastside]

Unfortunately a lot of my books are packed in boxes in storage. Here are a few of my favorites that aren’t:
All of the Kalmbach books that I have are informative, succinctly written, and well edited.
Drury, George H. Guide to North American Locomotives. Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Lists every North American Locomotive in the 20th century, a real necessity if you like steam.
Historical Guide to North American Railroads. Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Another reference must. A short history of every fallen flag railroad in North American of the 20th century.

Link, O. W., photographs. Tim Hensley, text. 1987. Steam Steel & Stars. Harry N. Abrahams. Inc.
An excellent coffee table book of Link’s best pictures of N&W steam. I really regret not having bought any of his prints when I had the chance.

Maiken, Peter T. 1989. Night Trains. 415 pp. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
The story of Pullman service and routes in America. The amount of information in this book is amazing. The last chapter (93 pp.) is a snapshot of every train carrying Pullman cars on a hypothetical midnight in March 1952 and lists the location, consist, routing, and schedule to show where each car came from and where each was going.

Nock, O.S. 1979. Railways of the USA. Hastings House.
An Englishman’s odyssey over American rails. This was written just prior to the formation of Amtrak. The author’s heart is really in steam, though, and his knowledge as a railwayman shows.

Staufer, Alvin. 1961. Steam Power of the New York Central. Self-published.
Good pictures of 20th century NYC steam locos.

[Murphy Siding]

Thanks eastside!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Locomotives: A technical directory of major international diesel,electric and gas-turbine locomotives from 1879 to the present day. >( present day meaning 1983)<
by Brian Hollingsworth & Arthur Cook
ISBN# 0-517-412675

Murphy, I have The Great Book of Trains by the same authors, only 13 years newer with more pages, probably an update of the book you have.

I have, at home-home, (if I tried to move all my trains, plane & automobile books, I would have to rent a small apt. just to store them in, or as my late father once said "some day you will hear a rumble and find these books on your mother's living room floor.") several dozen RR books and several hundred old Trains , ,magazines.

I just recieved my first issues of Locomotives International and highly reccomend the magazine to anyone who is interested in motive power.
It has covered mostly steam so far but I found they have a book on early diesels which I am going to buy.
http://www.locomotivesinternational.co.uk/books/index.shtml

Keep the book news coming gentlemen, this is most helpful
Bob

[eastside]

QUOTE: Murphy, I have The Great Book of Trains by the same authors, only 13 years newer with more pages, probably an update of the book you have.

Bob

[i]The Great Book of Trains is another of the books that contains many of the sideview paintings that I asked about earlier:

QUOTE: Anonymous Artist
Does anyone know the artist who did a wonderful series of sideview paintings of various steam locomotives? They've appeared in several books from pocket to foldout in size (http://www.marginalsoftware.com/Temp/trains1.htm). The only thing I can find is that they seem to be under the copyright of Salamander Books Ltd., a British company, I believe.

Another user was the game "RR Tycoon".

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eastside
Bob

The Great Book of Trains is another of the books that contains many of the sideview paintings that I asked about earlier:

The above book gives credit to a "team" of artists but mentions in particular, David Palmer and Diana and John Moore in the credits.

Bob

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